1855.] Notes on Northern CacJiar. 639 



miraculous. I have seen a boy of not more than ten years of age, 

 carrying a burden weighing about 30Ebs. for a long march of some 

 fifteen or sixteen miles, on a foot-path rugged and difficult, over 

 country where high mountains had to be ascended and descended, 

 lifting his legs as lightly as a cat, never making a false step, and his 

 skin being perfectly dry and free from perspiration. Nor was this 

 done only for one day, but for ten, one after the other : and I believe 

 any other Kookie boy could do the same. 



At seventeen or between that and twenty the Kookie reaches his 

 perfect physical state. He has now filled out, and looks strong and 

 lusty. He has gained the strength of manhood without losing the 

 agility of youth. He has learned the use of all the weapons of 

 war, defensive and offensive, and is looked upon as a warrior and 

 hunter as well as cultivator. It is about this age that he generally 

 marries and sets up on his own account. But he has frequently, 

 like Jacob of old to serve many years in bondage before he can 

 claim his bride. 



If his parents are rich, or he himself has thus early acquired 

 wealth, this servitude is of course dispensed with, and suitable pre- 

 sents being made, he at once enters the married state. The circum- 

 stances attending the ceremony are as follows : — 



The young man having fixed upon an object of his desire, sends a 

 friend of his own to acquaint his chosen and her parents with the 

 state of his heart. After the friend has accomplished two such 

 visits, without any objection being offered, the young man's father 

 makes a formal visit, and negotiates the marriage, the price of the 

 wife being then determined on. This price depends upon the wealth 

 of the contracting parties, and is seldom or never given in coin, but 

 in cloths, ornaments and cattle. The poorest individual cannot get 

 a wife without an expenditure of about thirty rupees, or personal 

 bondage for two or three years. The preliminaries being settled, 

 on the eve of the wedding-day the young men of the village con- 

 gregate at the house of the bride's father, and feasting, dancing, 

 music and athletic games are the order of the day and are carried 

 on during the whole night. Next morning the young couple clothed 

 in their best apparel, are led before the Thempoo, who presents them 

 with a stoup of liquor out of which they both drink, while he con- 



4 v 



